Italian childrens literature has a diverse and unusual tradition of fantasy. With the exception of Carlo Collodis Pinocchio, however, it has remained almost entirely unknown outside of Italy. Why is it that Italian childrens fantasy has remained such a well-kept secret? How international is the term fantasy, and to what extent has its development been influenced by local as well as global factors? Cross-cultural and cross-linguistic research into this neglected area is essential if we are to enrich our understanding of this important literary genre.
This book charts the history and evolution of Italian childrens fantasy, from its first appearance in the 1870s to the present day. It traces the structural and thematic progression of the genre in Italy and situates this development against the changing backdrop of Italian culture, society and politics. The author argues that ever since the foundation of Italy as a nation-state the Italian people have been actively involved in an ongoing process of identity formation and that the development of childrens fantasy texts has been inextricably intertwined with sociopolitical and cultural imperatives.